Indigenous group plans class action against CSG industry

An Indigenous community in central Queensland is preparing to launch legal action against the coal seam gas (CSG) industry.

Gurang Land Council representative Cherissma Blackman says sacred sites in the Gladstone area have been destroyed to facilitate the construction of three CSG to liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants on Curtis Island.

"We have been to these proponents and put forward sustainable partnerships for environmental sustainability ... we are not even considered to be a party that has an interest," she said.

"We cannot still practise our culture and we have no access to these cultural sites."

She says members of the Port Curtis Coral Coast Native Title Claim Group, which covers the area from Gladstone to Bundaberg, are entitled to compensation but they are yet to see a payout.

Ms Blackman says that has prompted moves to launch a class action claim.

"That's left a lot of our people behind the eight ball in trying to get business development happening, to try and put in for tenders ... skilling up our people and keeping future generations employed," she said.

"There are serious talks and a lot of information has been handed over."

Save the Reef spokeswoman Libby Conners says it is a widespread issue.

"This has gone on now for a couple of years," she said.

"I think the Aboriginal community has been incredibly patient and tried avenues of direct discussion both with the gas companies and Gladstone Ports Corporation, but several members within the community are saying enough is enough.

"I've certainly seen correspondence between the Burrungam people on the Darling Downs and QGC [Queensland Gas Company] in which the elders who sign the ILUA [Indigenous Land Use Agreement] objected to the clearing of very important cultural heritage near the Cania gas field.

"The company basically said there was nothing they could do about it - they've done it - that was it, there was no redress whatsoever."